Islam vs Feminism

I believe the definition of feminism that you are referring to is (according to dictionary.com):1) the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.
2) an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women.

With this definition in mind, I believe Islam is above such a doctrine. I read a wonderful article a while ago that explains why – may Allāh bless whomever wrote it. One of the best arguments therein against this form of feminism was that Allāh did not create man to be the benchmark of perfection for women. Meaning, why should women want to be like men when men are far from being perfect? A man is not more pleasing to Allāh for simply being a man. Nor is a woman less pleasing for being that which Allāh made her! Allāh only judges us by our intentions, words and deeds, i.e., matters that we do have a choice in.

A woman should simply strive to be the best muslim she can be, attaining taqwa and closeness to Allāh via the means Allāh has ordained for her. Saying that, many forms of ibaadah are equal in reward for both men and women:

“Certainly, the Muslim men and the Muslim women, the believing men and the believing women, the obedient men and the obedient women, the truthful men and the truthful women, the patient men and the patient women, the humble men and the humble women, the fasting men and the fasting women, the chaste men and the chaste women, the men who remember Allāh and the women who remember Allāh, Allāh has prepared for them both Forgiveness and a great Reward.”
The Holy Quran 33:35

Alhamdulillahi rabbil 'alameen! That is one of my favourite ayahs.

However there are some rewards available to women that can never be attained by men – one of the best and oft-cited examples being that of motherhood. Only a woman can become pregnant and bear such a burden. And every burden experienced by a muslim is the means by which Allāh expiates their sins and elevates their status in His sight. So imagine the bounties that are reaped for experiencing the pangs of child-birth!! In fact a woman who dies whilst giving birth is considered a shaheed – subhanallah! And that is only one part of the whole motherhood affair.

Of course women are far from being baby-factories! The point is that although generally-speaking women and men are liable to the same rewards and punishments in Islam, some avenues are open only to women and some only to men, and this is a direct reflection of their divergent natures.

So IMHO women should stop trying to be like men, and the same vica versa! We should reflect upon the purpose of our creation which is the worship of Allāh, and use our own gender-specific strengths to please Him in the ways that He has clearly ordained.